Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Way cute! He's like "What's the big deal?"!"
Glad that he's eating and life is getting back to some kind of normal. We have our paws crossed for more great news this weekend!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tommy definitely seems to be gaining a little bit of himself this weekend. It's becoming so much easier for me to see him as a tripawd.. but I'm a little worried about something... is it normal for him to be so tired after walking just a little? He doesn't walk much, just to go to the bathroom, or from one room to the next but he seems very tired when he does.
Tommy and I do have a little bit of a victory this weekend.. he started being comfortable enough to practice going up and down stairs with my help. At first I had to carry him up and down but now he lets me just help with a towel and we go up and down very slowly and carefully.. is this okay for us to do or should I continue to carry him?
He's spending a lot more time outside. Not much, but I do let him out at least once a day for like 15 minutes. I sit with him on a blanket.. is this okay?
Lastly, he is bleeding a little, just a few drops, at his incision site... so I'm a bit worried about that but is this normal since it hasn't even been a week since his surgery? It's also scabbing a little but it's definitely not open... is this normal? He's also itchy.. I'm scared he is going to scratch when he's unsupervised 
I don't want to drive him to the vet if it's not necessary since he hates going to the hospital so I thought I would ask here first before putting him through that sort of stress.
And sorry for the late update, he is doing so much better (see his face in the pictures?!) that I have just been spending time pampering him. He's becoming spoiled.. more so than he already was!
Hey astrella,
I personally don't think now is a good time for stairs. I think your pup should be confined to a dedicated recovery room that is quiet and slip proof, and although you may have to clean up some #1 or #2, it is so much safer.
Outdoors time should be limited to how much time you have to keep an eye on em. The last thing your need is for your pooch to get dirt in the incision or fall and open it up.
Please, and I say this from the easiest recovery experience, don't let your pooch fool you. He is NOT ready for free reign! We have come too far to let an infection or opening of the wound stop us right?
Oh, and as for fluid leaking from his wound, I experienced none of that except for the antibiotic they injected right before we came home.
I would feel more comfortable giving advice if I was there with the dog depending on the color or smell of the discharge, but since I'm not there, my only advice, is spend the $50 bucks and have a professional veterinarian look at it.
My experience with wounds, are that if they are expected to leak, you would be informed of it, mostly just to protect your furniture, but you would be informed. I don't think your pup should be leaking or scabbing.
I don't want to freak you out, I'm not a veterinarian. I do however have some experience with wounds and I just think you should play it safe and have the vet look at it. Don't do over the phone advice, make an appointment and have a certified vet look at the wound site.
Oh Tommy is looking FANTASTIC and HAPPY!! I'm so happy for you both!!
Regarding your question with stairs...as long as you're assisting him with a towel/sling you should be fine. I'm not sure of your set up but our house was a split foyer so stairs everywhere. For the first couple of weeks we set up our mattress in our home office so Leland only had 1 step to maneuver to get in the house. Later on when we moved back up into the main portion of the house I continued to use a belly sling to assist him with stairs (he was a hind leg amp so going up was more of a problem than going down).
With being outside we too laid out a blanket/sheet for Leland to lay on and I would put a cloth over the incision site to keep any pesky bugs off it. Since Tommy is a front amp and wearing t-shirts you wouldn't have to worry about that. I always sat right next to Leland and he was content to just be outside with the breeze on his nose. Be careful that Tommy doesn't try to overexert himself outside...if he's content like my Leland to just lay and hang out you should be fine.
Regarding drainage...Leland had a drain tube at his incision site. The first few days he did have pinkish liquid drainage but then it slowed and stopped.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
That boy is just so darn adorable! I'm glad you had a good weekend. Here's some answers to your questions.
astrella91 said
is it normal for him to be so tired after walking just a little? He doesn't walk much, just to go to the bathroom, or from one room to the next but he seems very tired when he does.
Absolutely! He shouldn't be doing anything but that right now. Usually about 10 days after surgery is when they can start to do a little more walking, but not much. Remember, he's using his body in an all-new way and muscles that never worked a whole lot before are working harder than ever. It takes time to build up that strength and stamina. Kinda like when you ride a bicycle after you haven't ridden for a long time.
At first I had to carry him up and down but now he lets me just help with a towel and we go up and down very slowly and carefully.. is this okay for us to do or should I continue to carry him?
I would keep this to a bare necessities minimum right now. Stairs increase the odds of a seroma , or fluid build up, which is I think what you are describing. See below.
He's spending a lot more time outside. Not much, but I do let him out at least once a day for like 15 minutes. I sit with him on a blanket.. is this okay?
If he is leashed and under your immediate grasp, and not sitting in dirt, that's fine. Fresh air is good for the soul and healing! Once his stitches come out he can spend more time out there but you really want to keep an eye on him even then so he doesn't overdo his activity before he's ready.
Lastly, he is bleeding a little, just a few drops, at his incision site... so I'm a bit worried about that but is this normal since it hasn't even been a week since his surgery?
Dogs and cats often get what's known as a seroma (click on the link for info). In response to Mike's insight:
My experience with wounds, are that if they are expected to leak, you would be informed of it, mostly just to protect your furniture, but you would be informed. I don't think your pup should be leaking or scabbing.
Yes, this does happen, especially with front leg amputees. It's usually nothing to be concerned about as long as the incision:
- does not smell or have greenish, icky discharge
- emits fluid that's more watery, pinkish, than bloody
- isn't gushing
Again, click on "seroma " for more info. If you are at all concerned, let your vet know what's going on but try to keep calm, many people experience this including us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh one more answer:
He's also itchy.. I'm scared he is going to scratch when he's unsupervised
Oh he will. And you don't want that, it will irritate the incision. Keep the cone of shame on. It's the pits but it works. Ask your vet if you can use a topical spray like Vetericyn Wound Care to ease the discomfort. Other people have put aloe vera around the incision, but not on it. But again you'll want to keep the cone on so he doesn't lick it off.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you guys so much!
As for outside time, all he does is sit there next to me. He just likes being outside and watching the trees and birds. He doesn't attempt to do anything else so I figured being outside for a bit would be okay 
There's just 4 step to get into the house that's why stairs are a necessity for when he has to go potty and I would have absolutely no problem with him going inside but Tommy just won't have it.
As for his incision, thank you! I'm pretty sure it's fine and even healing at some parts so I was just wondering if really if this was normal 5-7 days post-op so thank you for putting me at ease there! I'll definitely keep on eye on it.
His appointment is next Thursday! I'm just nervous, that's all.. like I've said before, I honestly don't know what I would do without all your support!
Our Ellie was one of those who took a long time to recover from the amputation (rear leg). She could hardly walk at all more than a few paces before her right back leg would just crumple. Pooping was especially hard, it seemed to just exhaust her balancing on one leg for that long. We were so worried because so many dogs seem to be up and running in circles. So try not to worry! Easier said than done I know.
Our Ellie also just loves to be out on the patio watching the world go by (she is part Pyr after all!). And since the weather was nice we left her out there as much as possible (we either worked out on the patio, or we just checked her regularly). She was very good at self-regulating. So I'd say to trust your instincts about Tommy.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Sounds like you've got things well under control, nice job! And Tommy's a good boy for not poopin' inside. Those stairs shouldn't be an issue. Keep us posted!
Yep, 5-7 days out is pretty normal for a seroma . Our Jerry had his happen at about that time. He had to get it drained when we went back for stitches removal but it was no big deal. Gross, but no big deal, draining was done in about 5 seconds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Face in palm moment. I thought you meant like an entire flight of stairs! Scared the bejesus outta me!
I like Jerry's input and links about the wound, and the last thing I'll say is if in doubt, have the vet check it out!
Sounds like your doing great though!
Thank you so much for your support and advice. I can't believe it, Tommy continues to do well.
I just can't see why I was making such a big fuss about it. I think once it heals completely I won't even notice it.
Now I'm just nervous about going for the re-check on Thursday. I'm sure he will be fine, but it's just been so long since I've been getting only bad news from the vet that I've come to expect it 
Again thank you for your support, I apologize for all the questions, I know some were stupid but it was just reassuring to ask anyways. I'll post an update after his appointment..
OMG - the exact same story here!! Except its Maggie and she's a female. Her amputation surgery is tomorrow. She bit off half of her tumor the other night and I took it as "Mom, let's do this".
I am scared and confused just like you. Please keep in touch.
There are no stupid questions!!! Amputation is a huge deal (at least for us) and we all want the best for our pups or kitties.
Glad to hear Tommy is doing so well!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR TOMMY!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MOM!!!!! You are both doing a stellar job!
And those pictures....those eyes.....melting my heart over here!!!
You've gotten GREAT advice from everyone! So I'll just saynditto!!
Every day you will become more and more relaxed and more at ease with the new normal. You will learn very quickly to kick worrying to the curb and enjoy being j n the lresent with Tommy. Enjoy that beautiful time you spend together and just losten to the birds, catch a scent of Spring in the breeze...just mimic Tommh!
Stay connected and keep these great updates comkng!
((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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